Zhao Xintong is back on the snooker circuit after serving a ban for his involvement in the sport’s match-fixing scandal.
Shaun Murphy’s position on Zhao Xintong has been clear ever since the World Snooker Championship finalist returned to professional play. The Chinese cueman has dominated the Crucible showpiece against Mark Williams, playing in the tournament for the first time since his 20-month ban.
Zhao was suspended for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal that rocket the sport. He was not accused of actively participating in fixing matches but was one of ten Chinese players banned for related offences. He admitted to knowing about another player’s involvement in fixing and placing bets on matches.
The 28-year-old faced a 30-month ban, later reduced to 20 due to an early admission of guilt. Since his return to the circuit, Zhao demonstrated impressive form, winning Q Tour events in Stockholm and Manchester and scoring maximum 147 breaks at both before heading to Sheffield.
He also qualified for the UK Championship, a title he claimed in 2021, where he met Murphy in the first round and was defeated by the Masters champion.
Before the match in November, Murphy explained that he was ready to welcome Zhao back to the tour after serving his sentence: “I think it has to be said Zhao Xintong was at the very lower end of those (10) bans. He did know about it without reporting it and of course that’s against the rules. He’s served his time.
“The problem with Zhao Xintong is he’s really bloody good. It might be fair to say he’s done nothing in these 18 months but practice. He looks very, very sharp to me.
“There’s been quite a lot of fanfare about his return, which I’ve not been 100 per cent sure about, but he was caught, he took his punishment on the chin and since then has done everything right. There’s an element of rehabilitation, he’s done the crime and served his time and he’s back.”
